Greedy CTIA: White space is worth money, don’t give it away

A trade group for the cellular industry is backing the white space wireless …

Those looking to use the "white space" in the digital television spectrum for wireless broadband found a new ally last week. Through its trade organization, CTIA—The Wireless Association, the cellular industry argued for opening up the white space in an FCC filing. But there's a catch: CTIA believes that unused digital TV spectrum should be auctioned off, which would serve to strengthen the industry's stranglehold on the spectrum in the US.

The CTIA believes that the FCC should license the white space spectrum and sell it to the highest bidder. "CTIA suggests that the Commission adopt an areawide licensing approach, subject to auction, for a majority of the TV band," the group said in a filing (PDF). In contrast, the White Space Coalition and other white space backers want to keep unused TV spectrum available for unlicensed access.

Licensing would give broadcasters someone to complain to should interference result from white space broadband, the CTIA argues. The group goes on to say that with unlicensed wireless broadband, it would be tougher to track down and address interference in the digital TV spectrum.

CTIA also states that licensing would make for more efficient use of the white space, as licensed installations could be tweaked to operate right up to the limits of broadcast coverage. There would also be greater incentives for investment in the white space if the FCC licensed it and auctioned it off. "An unlicensed environment significantly deters potential investment in infrastructure necessary for long-range service," argues the group.

What the CTIA doesn't say is that its members would likely benefit the most from an auction. The winners list for the recently concluded 700MHz auction reads like a "who's who" of the wireless industry, with Verizon and AT&T topping the list. The same companies (plus Sprint, which eschewed the 700MHz auction due to its focus on WiMAX) would certainly make a play for the white spaces, should they be auctioned off.

"Ultimately, the TV white space is too valuable to lie fallow," concludes the CTIA. "Licensing TV white space spectrum will best facilitate the deployment of wireless broadband and other advanced services, while protecting incumbent licensees from harmful interference."

Nothing is preventing current wireless players from setting up shop in unlicensed white space spectrum if they so choose. But auctioning off the spectrum will likely lead to the further consolidation of wireless spectrum in the clutches of a handful of companies. And that's not going to do much to improve the sad state of broadband competition in the US.